Green Tea Ingredients: What Creates The Magic?

To name all green tea ingredients would probably bore you out (as it did me) but don’t miss the next overview of the MOST important ingredients!

1. Polyphenols

Polyphenols are the most important green tea antioxidants which can be divided into four main groups: phenolic acids, flavonoids, stilbenes (found in red wine) and lignans (found in flaxseed).

These very educational names might not ring a bell but what if I told you the first group can be subdivided into tannins, responsible for the characteristic taste of tea?

And what if I told you flavonoids are the ones making green tea as SPECIAL as it is?

Yep, these good old flavonoids can be subdivided into flavonols, flavanols and other “flavas” but also into catechins where EGCG is the one responsible for making us feel a little bit healthier and happier!

Catechins make up the largest part of polyphenols in green tea; up to 30% of the dry leaf weight.

2. Caffeine

Caffeine makes up approximately 3% of green tea. On average, when we look at the caffeine content of green tea we see it contains 9-50 mg of caffeine per cup depending on the strength of the brew and whether it’s the first serving or not.

In comparison, black tea contains 40-70 mg of caffeine per cup, about half of a freshly brewed cup of coffee (90 mg) and instant coffee has about 60 mg of caffeine.

This green tea ingredient makes you alert while counteracting any feelings of fatigue. Ideal for getting things done but it also raises blood pressure and stimulates the kidneys.

Heck, this stimulant can even help in your fight to lose weight! More on losing weight with caffeine here: Chinese diet tea.